It’s now July here in Michigan, and summer has made quite an entrance (not unlike that of the Kool-Aid man). For many of us, a cold brewski is often just what the doctor ordered on a hot summer afternoon. As consumers, we’ve been conditioned by TV advertising to ask a buddy to grab us any variety of mass-produced domestic lager packed in a cooler full of ice as we join our 600 attractive friends who are telling funny stories at a backyard BBQ. Well i’m here to announce that We The People have a great thirst-quenching alternative right here in Michigan: The Kolsch-style beer!
The Kolsch 45 by Shorts Brewing is one great example of a tasty summertime beer that would likely make domestic beer fans think twice about purchasing their next 4-pack of aluminum-bottled 16 ouncers. Kolsch 45 is very smooth, refreshing, and the flavor isn’t overpowering.
Another similar brew would be the “D Light” Kolsch-Style Beer from the good folks at Atwater Beer in Detroit. This little gem features a light body without sacrificing on flavor, and it has an excellent finish.
Finally, for those willing to experiment with a little more flavor and a girth, I suggest the Full Circle by New Holland B.C. I am a huge fan of this particular beer, and it’s typically my picnic/BBQ fallback beer for when the weather’s warm and I don’t feel like drinking an ale. It’s very smooth and tasty, and the flavor profile stands in stark contrast to the typical domestic lager, which may frighten-off some who aren’t used to easy-drinking beers that aren’t brewed with corn.
So the next time that little bead of sweat slides down your back and you decide to reach for a cold one, forget the silver bullet and instead give Michigan Kolsch-style beers a try. What’s the worst that could happen – you might like it? I rest my case.